Committee suggests life space/cyber cafe at IVCC

OGLESBY — Long-awaited student life space and a cyber cafe are the centerpieces of construction projects recommended by the Illinois Valley Community College Board’s facilities committee.

Committee members said they would recommend using $270,000 of $443,106 in surplus operations and maintenance funds to complete projects totaling more than $1.5 million.

“The surplus funds were accumulated through reduced utility costs and unexpended contingency budgets,” said Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsema.

The projects address a decades-long need for a large gathering area for students to interact and work on projects together in a way that is more in step with four-year colleges and universities. The student life space will be in the former counseling area in E-Building, and the cafe will be in the main lobby.

Other Phase 3 construction projects could include moving emergency medical services into the former home of electronics in Lower Level D and expanding Jacobs Library into the vacant cashier’s office off the main lobby.

Committee members viewed architect’s sketches of the cafe and student life area. Their recommendations will go to the full board March 13.

The committee also made its initial review of a 2016 Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) request to expand Jacobs Library and the fitness center. RAMP is the state list for capital development requests; colleges must resubmit projects each year to remain on the list.